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Statement from the Hispanic-Latinx Center on Recent Disparaging Comments About Puerto Rico

Photo credits: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

The long-standing impact of U.S. imperialism continues to negatively affect the lives of citizens both within and beyond its borders. However, a recent rally for the 45th President serves as a stark reminder of how dangerous unchecked racism can be when it goes unchallenged.

At Madison Square Garden, comedian Tony Hinchcliffe made deeply offensive remarks, referring to Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage.” He also made harmful comments about Haitian immigrants and used racist language to degrade the Black community. Although the Trump campaign has since distanced itself from these remarks, this incident is far from isolated. We have all witnessed the blatant racism from the former president and his administration, particularly targeting the Latiné community and immigrants.

In response to these remarks, Latiné faculty at Garrett Seminary have shared their reflections, reminding us of our responsibility to act:

Dr. Nancy Elizabeth Bedford, Georgia Harkness Professor of Theology:

“Seen from a Christian faith perspective, three clear themes emerge from the rally:

First, religious language taken from the Christian tradition is used to depict Trump as a salvific, Christ-like figure and Harris as the opposite, as a diabolical anti-Christ.

Second, migrants—particularly migrants from Latin America and the Caribbean—are dehumanized and scapegoated by tactics ranging from jokes to dark warnings about the danger they supposedly pose.

Third, the “salvation” promised by Trump and his spokespersons entails debasing, deporting, and persecuting migrants, whether documented (as implied in the mention of the Alien Enemies Act) or undocumented.

As a follower of Jesus and a theologian, I reject and refuse the misuse of religious imagery to debase people and to justify their mistreatment. I reject and refuse the depiction of any human leader in salvific terms. I reject and refuse the use of God’s name in vain to bless any cruel and dehumanizing project.”

Dr. Débora B. A. Junker, Associate Professor of Critical Pedagogies & Director of the Cátedra Paulo Freire:

“The recent comments at Trump’s political rally mentioning Puerto Rico are a profound affront to human dignity. Dehumanizing words are followed by dehumanizing actions and policies, which shape a society of exclusion, hatred, and oppression that threaten the safety of all. Such narratives attempt to erase the resilience, resistance, history, and flourishing of our Puerto Rican and all Latiné siblings while encouraging division and exclusion. The language we choose matters. It shapes how society treats communities and either reinforces or undermines justice. In the spirit of Freire’s teachings, we must actively counter such rhetoric by building a society that has a commitment to dignity, respect, and care for all people as its foundation. It is only by recognizing every person’s inherent worth and humanity that we can genuinely see freedom, justice, and solidarity thrive. To let dehumanization go unchallenged is to risk the erosion of these very foundations of democracy. This is precisely why such rhetoric must be met with unconditional resistance and rebuke.”

Dr. Rudolph P. Reyes II, Assistant Professor of Christian Ethics and Latinx Studies:

“As Christians, we condemn the vile words spoken at Madison Square Garden. We call on people to become aware of the many forms of oppression and anti-Latiné racism which Latiné people face. This awareness requires us to identify the logic and actions used to dehumanize Puerto Ricans on the island and the mainland. This knowledge helps us better partner with God to bring about the abundant life promised by Christ. We stand in solidarity with our Puerto Rican and Latiné siblings in thought, word, and deed.”

Dr. Emma Arely Escobar, Director of the Hispanic-Latinx Center and Assistant Professor of Faith-Based Organizing:

“While this kind of rhetoric is sadly not new, it is deeply troubling that this country continues to create space for it—and even worse, that a candidate who consistently insults and dehumanizes immigrants could once again rise to power. These statements embolden right-wing, MAGA-aligned individuals to target our communities, underscoring the urgent need to speak out and stand in solidarity with el pueblo. We must organize for change at local, state, and national levels. This is a critical moment: We can either stand with our communities in a Christlike manner or live out an empty gospel.”

Rev. Dr. Javier Viera, President of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary:

 “They said it out loud. Again. What we heard in Madison Square Garden is nothing new. It only confirms what we already know to be true of the standard playbook that characterizes this political ideology and movement.

As Christians, our obligation and calling is to demonstrate how at odds those words are with the message and spirit of the gospel. We have a responsibility to expose the lack of Christian integrity and witness in a movement that uses Christian rhetoric as a weapon and strategy. More importantly, we must ensure that our own communities of faith or conscience reflect the values we espouse, the work to which we believe the gospel calls us. It’s easy to denounce or condemn something. But if our communities and practices are still confined to those who think, look, and believe just like us our condemnation is simply more bluster in an already cacophonous world. If we believe Puerto Ricans are more than what was said of them in New York, if we believe that Latiné peoples are crucial to the thriving of our communities, we have to ask ourselves where their concerns, their priorities, their ongoing colonization are present in our own lives. As Christians, we must demonstrate our beliefs with actions—in the voting booths, on school boards, in hiring practices, in friendships and relationships, and in our economic choices. Our rhetoric must be seen and not just heard.”

We invite the Garrett community and society to learn about the complex history and relationship between the United States and Puerto Rico. Below are resources to help you begin this journey. Additionally, we encourage you to participate in Think Globally: Puerto Rico on November 19 at 12 p.m. More information to follow.

Puerto Rico Rises

The colonial politics of the U.S.-Puerto Rico relationship

How the US Stole Puerto Rico, Mapped

To gain a better understanding of the relationship between the USA and Latin American countries: Harvest of Empire: The Untold Story of Latinos in America


Latiné Faculty at
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary